Sky chief named 'most powerful in sport'

Sky chief executive Jeremy Darroch is the most powerful person in British sport, according to a list compiled by Sport Magazine.

Darroch ranked ahead of billionaire Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayad Al Nahyan and London 2012 Olympics bid co-ordinator Lord Coe, who finished in second and third place respectively.

Beside Darroch's entry, the magazine said that even though the bosses of major UK sports may wield administrative influence, it is Sky which "bankrolls the lot", meaning that the satcaster is uniquely able to "sculpt the sporting landscape".

"The satellite television behemoth polarises opinion," the entry continued. "[But] with control over the financial security and coverage of so many sports, Darroch has more influence over British sport than anyone else."

Also placing in the top ten were England manager Fabio Capello in fourth place, Premier League chief Richard Scudamore in sixth and F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone in seventh.

Other broadcasting bosses featured on the list included BBC director of sport Barbara Slater in 12th place and BBC Radio 5 Live controller Adrian van Klaveren in 28th.

"Van Klaveren can pretty much take his pick of live sporting events on what we used to call the wireless," his entry said. "He's like an oversized child with the keys to the sweet shop."

Culture secretary Ben Bradshaw placed in 20th and ITV director of news, current affairs and sport Michael Jermey came in 41st.